'Happy Endings' gets one of its own

ABC's Happy Endings wraps up their second season last night with "Four Weddings and a Funeral (Minus Three Weddings and One Funeral)." As the long title implies, the gang attends the nuptials of their friend Derrick (Stephen Guarino, The Big Gay Sketch Show). Jane (Eliza Coupe) is the only one not in the wedding party, but after a last minute drop out, she is soon taking charge of the entire event. Penny (Casey Wilson) finds herself stuck at the Skype table, which pays off when she meets a cute guy (Brian Austin Green, Desperate Housewives, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles). And two former lovers consider reconnecting.

Happy Endings continues to be consistently funny, and not just because of the awesome episode title. From the visual of a table full of laptops at a wedding, to crazy Jane making the food and drinks last longer, to Max (Adam Pally) headlining a Madonna cover band, this episode has many high points. The cast is top notch, and have really grown comfortable in these characters, continuing to delight week after week.

Of course, it's not just the humor that hooks viewers. There must also be some emotional punch to the characters that fans have been made to care about. Penny's recent crush on Dave (Zachary Knighton) is one such example, though it is tempered by her meeting the hunky guest star this week. Which is OK, because Happy Endings instead chooses to pursue a possible Dave / Alex (Elisha Cuthbert) reunion in "Four Weddings and a Funeral (Minus Three Weddings and One Funeral)."

Dave and Alex break up in the very first episode of Happy Endings, and that past is constantly hanging over these two characters. Will they be a Ross and Rachel, who get together in the end after years of fans longing for it to happen? Or will they just need some closure to move on? Somehow, Happy Endings has avoided either possibility for two seasons. It seems like Alex and Dave are going to need to get back together at some point, even if only briefly, to answer these questions. Their recent tryst did not satisfy this, and it's gratifying that the series isn't just ignoring that.

Plus, anyone rooting for Dave and Penny to be a couple needs to see Dave get past Alex first, so the sooner a reconciliation happens, the quicker he can begin to move on.

Interestingly, for those keeping count, season two of Happy Endings comes up one episode short, even though "Four Weddings and a Funeral (Minus Three Weddings and One Funeral)" is billed as the season finale. If one remembers, last summer a random episode of the show aired. Only people with DVRs really caught this, and other fans may still be unaware of it. It looks likely to happen again, as there is currently no room on the schedule to stick this half hour. Either that, or it will be shoved into next season somewhere. Sometimes things like this just happen, but it's a curiosity, to say the least.

Happy Endings also stars Damon Wayans Jr., and will return to ABC next fall.

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Happy Endings bears witness to "The Shershow Redemption"

      ABC's Happy Endings started slow, but by the season finale, "The Shershow Redemption," the series is finding its way. Like a modern, more diverse friends, it is establishing itself a fine following for a modern sitcom. In the episode, the gang attends the wedding of their old friend Shershow (T.J. Miller, Carpoolers, Cloverfield). Shershow used to be a screw up, but he has things together, and is marrying a beautiful woman, Melinda (June Diane Raphael, Funny or Die Presents..., NTSF:SD:SVU). While several among the group wonder who has become the new Shershow, others seek to redfine their relationships. The real meaning of love and marriage is explored.

     The series begins with Alex (Elisha Cuthbert) leaving Dave (Zachary Knighton) at the alter. It takes awhile for them to get back to a place of friendship, but they must, because they share the same mutual friends. In "The Shershow Redemption," Alex suggests they play each others' wingman, a move that will totally prove they are over each other. But, she isn't, as is soon revealed when Dave overhears Alex confess she may have made a mistake to Melinda. In most sitcoms, the fact that Alex caught Dave sleeping with a bimbo earlier in the episode would prevent her from being able to reconnect with him. In Happy Endings, they choose the more mature route, not even discussing the other woman. Instead, Alex's confession comes after the incident. It's a real touching moment, not only demonstrating some sophisticated writing and storytelling, but opening the door to a possible season two reconnection, or at least a rexploration of the feelings they have.

     Brad (Damon Wayans Jr.) and Jane (Eliza Coupe) have already been married for a numbers of years, but learn that Max (Adam Pally) was not licensed when he performed their wedding, thus nulling the union. Again, some sitcoms might exploit this fact for some overreaching story where it matters they are not legally wed. Again, Happy Endings goes in a different direction. Jane thinks about planning a huge redo so she can have the perfect wedding she didn't get before, but when Brad goes along with her plans, somewhat reluctantly, but with little complaining, she realizes they already have a solid marriage, whether the government recognizes it or not. It's heartwarming, and together with the aforementioned plot, puts Happy Endings head and shoulders above most other comedies on the air. It is earning its place on the network.

     Finally, Penny (Casey Wilson) gets jealous because Shershow was her safety, so she invents a fiance, and tries to have her flaming gay friend, Derek (Stephen Guarino, The Big Gay Sketch Show) pretend to be him. It goes horribly wrong, with Derek channeling Grease's Danny Zuko, before reverting to his natural self. Penny gets drunk and says stupid things. Perhaps she's a little over the top, but not so much so that it pulls the viewer out of the story.

     Wilson is a rare gem on Happy Endings, perhaps the most enjoyable actress on the show. This comes as a surprise, considering I did not care for her at all during her stint on Saturday Night Live. Now it appears she just needs more suitable material, which she finds in abundance on Happy Endings. Kudos for putting such a talented comedienne to good use
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     Happily, because of how it has distinguished itself, Happy Endings has found enough fans to garner a second season. It will return to ABC in the fall.

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